Dear Diary... a glimpse into the pages of a journal written by a woman rider.Saturday,
March 26, 2011
Dear Diary,
One of my favorite reasons for riding a motorcycle is when I have the good fortune to experience... a special moment. You know, those moments that only occur when you happen to be in the right place at the right time. A moment when the only evidence of it's existence lingers in the scrapbook of your mind. A moment that usually never happens to you when your driving in your car.
We were riding back from Sylacauga this afternoon, trying to make it home before some terrible weather caught us. H was watching the sky as we were splitting a pair of ferocious storms moving along on either side of us. One minute we were heading south, the next thing I know, we change direction and go west for a few miles. Just when I think we're going to get wet, I see his blinker come on and we're turning south again. The asphalt was wet everywhere we turned, including some golf ball size hail in some places, but sparingly, we weren't getting drop on us.
As we rounded a long sweeping bend and cleared a large patch of trees, I noticed H raise his left arm and point. I looked up in the direction he was pointing and there it was... big and breathtaking... the widest most brilliant rainbow I've ever seen, laid across the stormy sky. In spite of all the darkness around us, the sun was slicing through the clouds, creating a natural spotlight on the highway as if it were trying to lead us in the direction of safety. Where the two elements merged together, the unmistakable colors of orange, yellow, green and pink formed a flawless arch as it went from one side of my panoramic view to the other.
I tried in vain to keep my eyes on the road, but I couldn't help but gaze over to my left as much as my lingering senses would allow. As I continued to process the beauty I was seeing, another rainbow came into view. It was a softer less vibrant mirror reflection of the first and positioned right above it. Twins! I was definitely looking at twin, full arch rainbows!
I wanted to capture this, but there was no safe place for us to pull off. It was in that instant when I realized I was experiencing one of my cherished moments. I seem to get more and more of them lately, and I'm usually riding my Glide when they happen. I could feel my smile widen as my senses went on overload with the smell of newly fallen rain, freshly mowed hay, and looking a palate of color that only God could make.
For the next several miles I pondered many things but mostly, how blessed I really am... to be ridin' with rainbows.
Me
13 comments:
Lady R:
Pure poetry. I can hear your machine and the scene my mind conjurs. I also know what you are saying about the best place for a photo, there are never shoulders wide enough to be able to pull over
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Loved it.I can so relate to your story. Riding in a cage you just miss getting your senses peaked all at once like that. Thanks for sharing.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! thank you ladyR, i could just picture it :) beautiful! i needed that :)
Your right. Had a few rides like that.
Dear Lady Ridesalot:
If you had followed that rainbow, you would have ended up in my garage. There is a BMW K75 at the end of every rainbow.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
The Bermuda Triangle Of Motorcycle Blogs
What a great post!! Priceless to be sure.
Bobskoot... I keep thinking a helmet cam would be awesome. I really need to save my pennies cause I feel like we have some of the prettiest roads. But till then, I'll just keep sharing my "pics" with words.
Reggie... I often think that it's all because I'm on the Glide that I'm enjoying my surroundings on a higher scale of appreciation. It's why we ride. :)
MQ01... Glad to help my friend. :)
Webster... yep... rides like that are what keeps us on two.
AZD... Thank you! I feel like I just got an "A"! Woo Hoo! ;)
Dear Mr. Riepe,
I'm honored at your invitation to attend your little "garage party" but, I'm afraid I'll have to decline.
You see, I'm a sucker for cute little animals and I'm sure it would lead to my demise of indentured servitude if I were to allow myself a glimpse of the "patented Jack Reipe Battered Baby Seal" look.
Besides... I'm not so sure I would liken the BMW K75 to a nice big pot of gold. My luck... you'd have a posse of leprechauns ready to pounce and I would not be heard from again.
So it is with sincere apologies that I will decline the offer to come... somewhere over the rainbow. Have a nice day, sir.
Your humble new friend,
Lady R
(p.s... I've added you too!) ;)
Lady R:
I don't think I would fall for that "Jack r Battered Baby Seal Look" either. If you do go, let us know ahead of time just in case we have to send out the posse.
As for taking photos whilst riding, I used to do that one-handed method with the camera upside down in order to hit the shutter with my left hand. I didn't feel it all that safe, so I opted for the GoProHD. It can take still photos and also video. I prefer to stop at a viewpoint but there the best shots have no pullout (or is that pull-in).
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bobskoot... thanks a lot for the info. I just checked out the GoPro site and they have several options. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Now I just need to save my pennies while I research.
I need to go lobby myself to the Chamber of Commerce and get them to buy it for me. I'd be glad to produce them some "Come Ride Alabama" footage! Well, we may want to word that just a little differently. ;}
BTW... Don't worry about me, my friend. It would take a lot more than the promise of a BMW K75 and a smile before I ventured off into the abyss of clandestine pleasures. (Hmmmm... or would it?)
Dear Lady Ridesalot:
What does it matter where one spends a life of indentured servitude? Disillusionment only comes in one flavor.
The K75 is not only the end of the rainbow, is is also the first wrong turn on the yellow brick road as well. Many women riders have stood in the garage, wamed by the light of the K75, and said, "If I could only get out of these handcuffs... That stupid seal wouldn't be the only thing to get battered around here."
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
The Motorcycle Blog Where Life And Marriage Are Dirt Cheap
Dear Bobskoot:
You wish you were as smooth as me.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Dear Mr. Riepe,
Now you've gone and done it... ONE FLAVOR???? Are you kidding me?? :}
BTW... I'm in tight with the Lollipop kids... hopefully there will be no wrong turns!
Sincerely,
Lady R
Bobskoot... I don't think you need to worry my friend! Just sayin'... LOL! :D
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